ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Team approach for patient-specific rehabilitation for acute stroke patient is important to minimize loss of function and facilitate recovery as well as cost effectiveness. We tried to establish acute stroke rehabilitation algorithm to maximize efficiency of delivering patient-specific and comprehensive rehabilitation in acute stroke patients. METHOD: We developed the clinical algorithms through the informal consensus development process by thorough discussions within the rehabilitation team members. Before and after adoption of the rehabilitation algorithms in clinical activity, we investigated satisfaction of patients and staffs by questionnaire. In addition, length of hospitalization was assessed. RESULTS: Ten algorithms were developed on the general rehabilitation, physical, occupational, and speech therapy, dysphagia, cognitive rehabilitation, nursing care and complication, and psychosocial rehabilitation. Every algorithm was comprised to take care of patients from the acute stage of rehabilitation to long term management. After algorithms to the clinical practice, total mean score of satisfaction was significantly improved in patients and staffs (p<0.05). Mean length of stay for rehabilitation tended to decline without statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Algorithm for patient specific acute stroke rehabilitation could contribute to increase the level of satisfaction among patients and staffs.